Iowa D-Line Still Deep Despite Losses

Hawkeyes Must Replace Logan Lee, Joe Evans

Iowa's Yahya Black (94) chases Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy during the 2023 Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis. (Photo: Rob Howe/HN) /

IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Iowa Football defensive line has reached a level where it rarely rebuilds. These days, the Hawkeyes reload. 

The designation will be tested this coming season. They'll be replacing two top performers and leaders in starters Joe Evans and Logan Lee. While he missed last season due to suspension, Noah Shannon's leadership role also must be filled. 

That's the bad news. The good news is that starters Yahya Black and Deontae Craig along with other experienced student-athletes return on the D-Line. 

The group includes ends Ethan Hurkett and Max Llewellyn, and tackle Aaron Graves. These guys should be ready for larger roles in 2024. The same could be said for edge Brian Allen and inside guy Jeremiah Pittman. 

A key will be making up for the pass rush lost with Evans' exit. The Ames (IA) High graduate racked up 28.0 sacks, 35.0 tackles for loss, 25 quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles and six passes defended. He led or tied for the team lead in sacks each of the last three years. 

Lee improved every season and should hear his name called during the NFL Draft later this month. The three-year starter at tackle delivered 9.0 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss in that time. He also played the run well. 

Graves (6-4, 293) should step in as the starter for Lee. A third-year junior, the in-state product has 26 games of experience already, chipping in with 5.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss last year. If you're looking for a breakout guy on the '24 Hawkeyes, Graves is him. 

"I think you can be a leader at any age, but people start to see you in that leadership role as you get older and get into a starting position," Graves said of adding more responsibility in Year 3. 

Hurkett (6-3, 260) has transitioned nicely from playing linebacker at Cedar Rapids Xavier to coming off the edge in college. He produced 6.0 tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and picked off a pass in '23. He credits former teammates like Evans, Chauncey Golston and Zach VanValkenburg for helping him develop. 

"It was a big adjustment but some of the fundamentals (at linebacker) kind of carry over, in the run game, especially," Hurkett said this week. "But I had to learn all the pass-rush moves from these guys."

Llewellyn (6-5, 264) contributed 2.5 sacks, broke up a pass and had a quarterback hurry last fall. He's built himself up physically and mentally in preparation for this opportunity. 

"You have to play the defense, but if you know what's going on you have a little bit of freedom to do kind of your own thing," Llewellyn said on Tuesday. "It's going good so far. I'm a lot more comfortable out there."

Black (6-5, 306) is ahead of Graves in terms of tackle breakouts, but the senior from Minnesota may only be scratching the surface of his sizable upside. He'll look to build on a junior campaign that saw him contribute 3.5 sacks, 5.0 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, five pass breakups and a forced fumble. 

The focus for Black this spring is on improvement. He understands it's needed to reach his goals, short and long term, even with All-Big Ten honors already to his credit. 

"That really comes with practice, practice and repetition, just coming in every day and doing what I need to do," Black said this week. "I know there are things I have to get better at, so I'm going to work on them." 

Craig (6-3, 266) earned All-Big Ten recognition last fall after piling up 3.0 sacks, seven quarterback hurries and 5.0 tackles for loss. The Fort Wayne, Ind. native has recorded 11.0 sacks, 18.0 tackles for loss and 10 QB hurries in his college career.  

Pittman, a junior, and Allen, a sophomore, have worked for more reps and they're available with Evans and Lee moving on. They could be pushed by a collection of young guys, including Caden Crawford, Chase Brackney, Maddux Borcherding-Johnson and Kenneth Merrieweather.